Middle east issues

Immediately from the beginning of January 2019, the US warned Iran not to pursue a plan to launch three space missiles, which was accused by Washington of violating a UN Security Council resolution because Tehran used ballistic missile technology. Constantly claiming that Iran is a “threat to the US”, President Donald Trump’s administration has taken increasing moves to put pressure on Tehran. Most recently, the Washington administration assigned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to visit a series of Middle Eastern countries with the view of discussing measures to cope with Iran with regional allies, while preventing the influence of Tehran in the region. The US said it would hold an international summit in Poland in mid-February, aiming to table the Middle East issues. Referring to a number of important issues in the region, such as terrorism, extremism, rocket development, trade and maritime security, the US did not hesitate to say that the Poland conference seeks to … [Read more...] about US-Iran mutual retaliation elevates tensions in Middle East

(VOVworld) - US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Mr. Putin said after their 2-hour talk that then shared many similarities on the situations in Ukraine and Middle East and agreed on the need to increase bilateral cooperation between Russia and the US and establish a mechanism for this cooperation. President Putin said the talk took place in an open manner toward possible coordination to deal with common issues. Earlier, the two Presidents both delivered speeches to the UN General Assembly, where they voiced different approaches to the Syrian situation. Mr. Obama called for a transitional government in Syria without incumbent President Bashar Al-Assad, while Mr. Putin said it will be a big mistake if the international community does not cooperate with the current Syrian administration in the fight against terrorists. President Putin said only the Syrian people, not … [Read more...] about Russia, US share similarities on Ukraine and Middle East issues

(VOVworld) – US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit 5 countries in the Middle East and Asia next week, the US Department of State confirmed on Monday. On his first stop at Cairo, Egypt, Kerry and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will co-chair the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue. He will arrive in Doha, Qatar, next Monday, to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, the Syria crisis, and the fight against the Islamic State with the foreign ministers from the Gulf Co-operation Council member countries. After leaving the Middle East, Kerry will head to 3 Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. During his visit to Vietnam from August 6-8, Kerry will meet with high-level Vietnamese officials to discuss regional and bilateral issues and attend events celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam. … [Read more...] about US State Secretary to visit Middle East and Asia

Tra fish processing for export (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Local businesses should consider promoting trade to the Middle East market as a strategic and long-term orientation amid the falling demand in traditional markets, according to the Department of Asia-Africa Markets under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Nguyen Minh Phuong from the department highlighted the potential of the Middle East market, saying that it boasts a huge purchase power, with standards which are suitable for Vietnamese firms. However, she Phuong also underlined obstacles hindering Vietnamese exporters from entering the market, including unstable political situation in the Middle East, difference in culture, language between Vietnam and the region, as well as lack of a strategic and long-term strategy among Vietnamese exporters. Le Thai Hoa, Deputy Director of the agency urged local businesses to develop long-term plans to enter the market by developing a competent staff with good … [Read more...] about Local firms suggested promoting trade with Middle East

Muppets to the rescue! The "Sesame Street" television show and a leading charity received a $100 million grant on Wednesday to use the Muppets to reach millions of war-affected children in the Middle East. The Sesame Workshop and International Rescue Committee (IRC) will focus on children in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq with a local version of "Sesame Street," according to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that gave the five-year grant. The project aims to reach 1.5 million refugee and displaced children up to the age of 8 in those countries with storybooks, toys, games and resources designed for use in homes and in health, outreach and community centers, the IRC said. More broadly the "Sesame Street" programming, which will teach language, reading and other skills, should reach 9.4 million children throughout the Middle East via television, mobile phones, digital platforms and other means, it said. Featuring colorful characters such as the Cookie Monster, Big Bird … [Read more...] about Sesame Street to bring laughter to war-hit children in Middle East